AN exciting scheme to transform Kiddermin-ster's historic Piano Building into a plush shops-and-flats complex is unveiled today - signalling a dramatic U-turn by its owners.

Attempts to have the former carpet warehouse demolished to make way for a cinema have now been completely abandoned by owners High-stone Estates.

Instead, the firm hopes to win permission to convert and extend the premises to create new glass-fronted shops and 10 apartments.

Company managing director Chris Dalzell said he hoped the plans would be "encouraged" by heritage organisations and supporters who had previously stood against the firm.

The new strategy is likely to delight Kidderminster Civic Society members and supporters who successfully won the building a reprieve from demolition last year by securing listed status.

The listing came just days after permission was given to knock the building down and put up a cinema in its place.

At the time disappointed bosses at Highstone Estates vowed to explore every avenue to try to get consent to go ahead with the demolition work, claiming it was "economically prohibitive" to do anything else with the crumbling building.

But now its new plans to revamp the building have been lodged with Wyre Forest District Council.

The scheme is likely to be discussed in the spring but will be subject to extensive consultation.

"At the time, we said it was not economic to restore the building and that has not changed," said Mr Dalzell.

"But we have been left in a no-win situation. We are legally obliged to repair the building as it is listed. We have no choice but to make the best of it.

"The Piano Building is in a prime spot on Weavers Wharf - we have £35 million worth of shops in a flagship complex and in the corner is a pile of bricks and rotting timbers."

The application details plans to pull down the rotting internal timber floors and erect a new steel frame internally with the external brickwork "tied" to it.

A total of four new floors would be created, with retail outlets on the lower two floors and a total of 10 flats above.

Key to the application is an attached new building fronting on to the Weavers Wharf "Circus" area and running up towards Slingfield Mill.

"Now we have to hope that the lobby and heritage groups which will be consulted over the plans will give the same sort of encouragement we have been given so far by the local authority," added Mr Dalzell.

Development control manager with the district council Clare Eynon said it was too early to say whether the plans would be given the green light.

"They must go through two stages first - with applications being made for building consent and planning permission," she said.

"Those two applications have already come in and are being considered at the moment.

"In terms of committee dates we'll probably be making a decision in March."

English Heritage, British Waterways, The Environment Agency and the highways authority must also be consulted, she added.